Shamil Borchashvili Withdraws from Upper Austrian Grand Prix

Shamil Borchashvili, the Austrian judoka and Olympic bronze medallist, has made the difficult decision to withdraw from defending his title at the upcoming Upper Austrian Grand Prix in Linz. Despite his strong performance at the recent Grand Slam tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where he emerged as the runner-up, concerns about his physical condition and recovery prompted the Austrian Judo Federation to withdraw his nomination.

Markus Moser, the Sports Director of Judo Austria, explained that the decision to withdraw Borchashvili's nomination was a precautionary measure. Borchashvili faced challenging matches in Tashkent, with four out of five fights going into golden score, totaling nearly 22 minutes of net fighting time. Coupled with the demanding journey back from Uzbekistan, Borchashvili has not had sufficient time to recover properly.

Expressing his disappointment at not being able to defend his title, Borchashvili emphasized the difficulty of the decision and his desire to compete. However, he acknowledged the importance of prioritizing his well-being and avoiding the risk of injury. Instead of competing, Borchashvili will support his teammates and hopes for success for his brother, Wachid Borchashvili, in the upcoming tournament.

Preparations During Ramadan

Adding to the challenge, the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan is set to begin shortly after the tournament. During Ramadan, Borchashvili and his brother, Wachid, will adjust their training schedule to accommodate fasting. They will train at night, between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., with the support of international training partners. Despite the adjustments, Borchashvili remains focused on maintaining his preparations for upcoming competitions, including the Olympic Games.

Despite the setback of withdrawing from the Upper Austrian Grand Prix, Shamil Borchashvili remains dedicated to his judo career and Olympic preparations.